Is ‘Open Concept’ OVER? Interior Designer Shares Honest Thoughts…

Don't we all just love an open concept design? Well... my love is conditional. There are definitely some dos and don'ts when it comes to making an open concept layout work and not just feel like one huge room. Follow these tips to create a cozy and liveable space in an open concept layout.

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[domenicamassaro]

I'm a traditional. I like a kitchen with table and chairs in its midst, for company and family dinners, and a living dining for the large gatherings, keeping the mess out of sight. Not to mention how dirty is a kitchen and I don't like that that oily dust spreads all over the place.

[newworldlove]

Against!! It's like living inside a Studio Flat looking at your washing machine & kitchen all day!

[jane-cnnd]

New subscriber 👋 I don't like open concept at all, antique homes with a good flow of individual rooms is what I really love.

[steveparker]

I, for one, like to keep the kitchen separate because I'm the type of cook who fills and needs to run the dishwasher after getting a glass of water. Translate that to mean I'm a messy cook - very messy cook. No guest wants to see the disaster I've created in my kitchen when sitting down to dine or talk after in the living room area. This is also why I like a galley kitchen that has limited visual access to the dining areas.

[lynnnadeau]

As a retired realtor and having sold both the open and the living/family room concepts, I heard a lot of folks, especially in the last 10 years, wanting open concept, until they actually lived in it. One room to do all the living would seem okay, until you might have a party and a few folks want to meander to a more quieter space for talking, ie, the living room. I personally love to open a front door and see a beautiful living space with my piano in one corner and my bookcase on another, mine feels a bit like a dreamy library.
I’ve heard in the past, “oh the living room is wasted space, a place no one ever uses because it’s all dressed up.” However, this can be another space to actually use and enjoy. Well, that’s my take, and I’m sticking to it! 😉

[nancymcnichol]

Open concept isn't my favourite layout because kitchens are just busy areas meant to be functional for every day use and unless you're constantly putting away things like small appliances, you will see them and they just aren't the most beautiful things to look at. Besides, if they were visually stunning, you'd see them on display in show suites, but you'll see a fake fruit basket or cupcake tier before you ever see a toaster displayed. Nobody is displaying cupcakes every day but most of us probably do use a coffee maker or toaster.

Beyond that, if anyone is using the kitchen while you're trying to watch a movie in the living room, you can just forget the movie. Halfway through a movie when your teenager emerges from their room, hungry and on the hunt for a snack. Don't even get me started on the dishes you can see left beside the sink.

[Toni_Snark]

I just bought a 1980 house that is definitely not open concept and I really like it. I also love that black blazer!!

[CalliVogee]

I do love a good open concept space. However, i really think that when building or redesigning a home, it is a really good idea to include a second living space, where people who want to get away from everything else going on in the house can go to retreat besides a bedroom.

[susanpera]

I do like a modified open concept. I’ve seen house flippers gut an older home to make it open concept and it just doesn’t work. I don’t want to live in a space that looks like a lodge hall. I do want openness but some separation as well

[mtngrl]

I like a hybrid open concept space, where there are conversation spaces or potential work spaces. I'm a Realtor and sometimes when I look at homes presented on the market, so many look like Grand Central Station that are not inviting. I've learned a great deal from your channel ;)

[SylviaAndrews-ouxm]

No, I’m not an open concept fan only because I like to watch my little TV in the kitchen when I am cooking and it’s very hard to do that when someone in the main living room is watching a different TV show. I lived in an open concept house many years ago and that was my biggest problem. my current house does not have that and I enjoy it this way.

[rickwagner]

I started watching your you tube a month ago….love, love them..please keep giving us all these informative design ideas…hoping your numbers grow you deserve it…Pam

[vivianvo]

I love open concept space, however, it is nice to have a second family room for younger kids including nieces nephews to have fun whenever family gathering. I do really enjoy my open space when we get together flow through the patio outdoor seating and dining as well, perfect to entertain everyone as once.

[Speakingnonverbal]

Semi-open is it for me. I have a kitchen, family room, dining room combo, with a wall dividing the more formal living room at the entry of the house. Very California with the good weather most of the year. It is really having both.😊

[cjtoler]

I currently live in an open concept house and love it. I lived in one about 15 years ago and hated it. I think I understand now how to better use design techniques to decorate it. You had many good points and always do!

[VeginMatt]

I'm fine with open concept in WARM climates, in Northern areas its stupid....I'm in Canada and my parents home is really difficult to regulate the temperature throughout most likely because the three entrances create drafts that are connected on the main floor and there are no physical buffers for any of the common areas (besides bathrooms) so all the hot air just moves to the rafters.

Also I hate having open concept kitchens next to living/TV rooms in multi person homes. If you want to watch TV while cooking, fine, then put a TV in the kitchen. One of my pet peeves is having someone talk to me from 20ft away while they are sitting in front of a blaring tv and I have to turn off the kettle or stop chopping to make out their words.

[artdeve]

You asked about open or closed spaces. I don't like open concept space.

[jcs]

For me consistant flooring throughout (exception the lobby and powder room) is a personal must for me.

[MizJilly]

The thing I would watch for in open concept homes - esp the new, Studio McGee inspired ones - is the tendency for seating to be the dominant factor. It starts looking like a food court quick. A row of stools at the kitchen island, 3 feet behind it, two rows of bland chairs around the dining table, which is the same rectangular shape as the island next to it, then a living room with more generic seating and very little decor. I'd say try to take the emphasis off the number of seats by using attractive colors, unique chair shapes, and decorative pieces. Love your sofa console idea for this purpose, for example.

[yolandacastillo]

I prefer the old “great room” concept. The eating, visiting and lounging at the table and moving to the sofas with a nice glass of wine is more my vibe When I clear the table to a kitchen that is visible it drives me crazy to see the mess. My vote is no. Keep the kitchen separate. Who wants to see the cooking mess.